University of Waterloo Library Pandemic Business Continuity Plan

The University of Waterloo Library is committed to being a supportive and equitable partner in learning and research to all library users. In times where public health emergencies disrupt the Library’s ability to operate normally, we will first prioritize the health and safety of staff and visitors, following all university, public health and government guidelines. Secondarily, the Library will adjust essential service delivery methods to provide consistent and equitable access to all library users to support anytime, anywhere learning and research.

Scope

This continuity plan covers the following University of Waterloo Library locations:

Dana Porter Library
Davis Centre Library

Library staff will liaise with the Architecture, Optometry, Pharmacy and AFIW libraries to provide consistent service and messaging to the campus community.

Continuity leadership

The Library’s Return to Campus committee will lead the internal coordination of service changes in the event of a public health disruption. They will liaise with the appropriate campus groups to ensure consistent response.

Continuity communication

Any service changes will be communicated to library users through the maintenance of a service update web page and further disseminated through the Library’s external communication channels in a timely manner.

Action plan

The Library’s continuity plan focuses on digital delivery of resources and consultations, where possible, to provide consistent and equitable access to all library users during times of changing public health guidelines.

Level definitions

Level 0: Strict lockdown

Level 1: Stay at home order

Level 2: Heightened restrictions

Level 3: Some restrictions/2M physical distancing

Level 4: Some safety measures/50% capacity limitations

Access to library spaces

Library services	Level 0	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Study space	No access	No access	Bookable study carrels @ Davis	Bookable study carrels @ Davis	Drop in study carrels @ Davis and Porter; bookable individual study rooms
Public computers	No access	No access	Bookable workstations @ Davis	Bookable workstations @ Davis	Drop in workstations @ Davis and Porter
Printing	No access	No access	Drop-in workstations @ Davis	Drop-in workstations @ Davis	Drop-in workstations @ Davis and Porter
Drop-in partner services*	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual

*Partner services include Writing and Communication Centre, Peer tutoring, Centre for Career Action, Office of Research Ethics

Access to collections

Library services	Level 0	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Physical collection	HathiTrust ETAS virtual access, book mail-out	HathiTrust ETAS virtual access, book mail-out and pick-up @ Porter	HathiTrust ETAS virtual access, book mail-out and pick-up @ Porter	HathiTrust ETAS virtual access, book mail-out and pick-up @ Porter and Davis	HathiTrust ETAS virtual access, book mail-out and pick-up @ Porter and Davis
Special Collections & Archives	Virtual support	Virtual support	Virtual support	Virtual support; in-person access by appointment	Virtual support; in-person access by appointment
Geospatial Centre	Virtual support	Virtual support	Virtual support	Virtual support; in-person access by appointment	Virtual support; in-person access by appointment

Librarian and reference services

Library Services	Level 0	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Reference services	Chat and email reference	Chat and email reference	Chat and email reference	Chat and email reference; in-person exceptions to be made based on necessity	Chat and email reference; Porter and Davis circulation desks
Librarian consultation services	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual; in-person exceptions to be made based on necessity	Virtual; walk in, in-person consultations based on demand
Library instruction	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual	Virtual, with requests for in-person instruction assessed on a case-by-case basis	Virtual, with requests for in-person instruction assessed on a case-by-case basis